Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1887-10-20
Knights and the Church.
Master Workman Powderiy Ex
plains the Attitude of the Cathoii'
Church Toward the Knights.

OF Labor was presented TO Jne grand as
sembly at Minneapolis. The main points
refer to an interview with Cardinal Glib
bons, by Mr.. Powderly, Brothers John W.
Hayes and Tom 0'Rielly, and their expla
nation OF the principles oil the Knights Of
Labor.
During the interview, which OF long dura-
ton, Cardinal Gibbons said in substance:
After what we have just learned, the
present condition OF the order IL to us an
unmistekabls indication hat the control
OF your organization still rests with the
conservative element, and is a guarantees
that there will be no rash and dangerous
departuresfrom those features Of its policy
which command the forbearance and re.
spect, il not the approval OF the entire
country. We do not infer that the objects
OF the Knights OF Labor are praiseworthy
and in no ways opposed to the views oil
the Catholic church. The Catholic pre-.
lates will declare in favor OF labor. The
Catholic church in America will take side
OF the weaker against the stronger. We
readily believe hat to rescue the toiler
from the grasp of the selfish is a work Tor
the noblest and best OF our race, and we
recognize that it is the accomplishment Of
that the grand object that the order OF
Knights OF Labor is bending its every
energy. The church is justly watchful
against all.
SECRET ORGANIZATIONS.
There is no need OF secrecy where the
ends and the methods OF organization are
iustifable, and secrecy raises a presump-
ton that there is something which will not
bear the light OF day. The Catholic church
is most visible to all creation. and l. in
stinctiveIy guards against secrecy and con-
cealment. We condemn the work OF an.
archists. Like Samson Of old, they would
fain pull down the edifice OF the constitu-
tion which shelters them, even though they
should perish in the ruins. The man that
would endeavor to undermine the laws
and institutions OF this great and glorious
country deserves the fate of those holaid
profaue hands on the ark OF the living God.
Socialism takes a defiant position beyond
the pale OF the church, and such
an extreme policy that one does not need
to hesitate a moment to reach a conclu-
sion as to it's merits and influence. 1t
boldly abolishes all religious restraint as
fatuous, denoGnces all extant forms OF
worship, and goes back to what it calls
nature and what the world calls
atheism. We express full faith in the
maintenance of friendliness between
the church and the order so long as you
keep free from affiliations with dangerous
associations and devote yourselves to the
fulfllment of your legitimate mission"
His eminence intimated to your commit
tee his intended journey to Rome, prom.
ised to explain the purposes OF the organ
Ization at the Vatican, and requested per-
mission to pledge the order to the mainte-
nance Of q lawful and orderly behavior.
How this prince OF the church fulfilled his
covenant made with US. and how he cham
pioned our cause in the eternal city, we
know full well; and the expression of pom
tiicial good will for the order OF the
knights OF Labor, which cane to us last
March, was due solely to the earnest and
intelligent advocacy OF our cause by Cardi.
nal Gibbons. His emiuence knew well how
to express and communicate the impulses
OF his own inspired soul, and our grateful
and profound thanks are due to him for
the extraordinary iavors he has bestowed
upon our order in overlooking measure. In
his report to the propaganda his enhance
Esid; In submitting TO the holy see
the conclusions which, after several months
of observation and deep reflection seem to
me to sum up the question of the associa-
ton of the Knights OF Labor, j 4 am strong.
ly convinced OF the vast Importance ofthis
question, which forms but one ring in the
great chain of the social problems OF our
day and especially OF our country. The
order is not hostile to religion. We have
not found in the constitution, bylaws and
official declarations the elements which the
noly see so clearly indicates as condemna-
tory, and the formula of the organization
contains neither oath or obligation which
precludes those who do not belong to it
from becoming acquainted with their al
fairs. This has been especially explained
to US by the principal officers. n opromise
OF blind obedience is required. Not only
their objects and their rules are nothostile
TO religion or the church, but the very con-
trary. 1t seems to me plain that the holy
bee cannot entertain the proposal to con-
denim the Knights oil Labor.
First-Beeause such a condemnation
does not sPitgar to be justified, either by
the letter or by the spirit OF its constitu-
lion, OF its laws, or by the declaration Of
It's heads.
Second-That such a condemnatioadoes
not appear necessary in view OF the ran
scent form OF the organization and OF the
social condition OF the United States.
Third-That it should not be prudent,
on account of The reality OF the wrongs of
the workingmen, and the fact that the ex-
lstence of such is admitted by the Anssri-
can public.
~Fourth-That it would be dangerous to
the reputation OF the church in our demo-
cratic country.
Fifth-That it would be powerless to COM
pei the obedience OF our Catholic workmen
NHo NOulu iCShAu ~ a. idibC u IAl4uii-
Gus.
Sixth-That it would be destructive in
stead OF beneficial in its effects, forcing the
sons Of the church to rebel against their
mother and to range themselves with
condemned socialists which they have
hitherto avoided.
Seyenth-That it would turn into doubt
and hostility the marked devotion OF our
people toward the Holy See.
I~.lNL TIL. ----ll L. ---~-ll - 1.
cruel blow to the authority of the bishops
Of the United States, who, it is well known.
protest against such condemnation"
Thus it will To seen that his eminence
made a ~iorcifle public plea for the work
ing classes. The bearing OF the Vatican,
toward the order has been friendly and
concilistory. The knights OF Labor re-
main untouched, and it viii be our par.
ticular duty to prevent the order from
committing anything against the
CIVIL AND ECCLESIASTICAL LAWS
which might be condemned by the church
or state. His holiness, the pope, wisely
determined not to provoke an antagonism
between the church and the mighty indus.
trial power that is now making itself felt
throughout this Tree land of ours, and
Leo XIII has shown that heis neither rash
nor illiberai. Mr.. Powderly then quotes
letters IRON Cardinals Manning and Glib.
bons giving their views in relation to the
order. Cardinal Gibbons letter closes as
follows: Remember that the eyes of your
countrymen are upon you, n that they
will watch your proceedings with
the deepest interest. As q law abiding and
industrious body, seeking by all honorable
meant to improve your condition, you
owe it to yourselves n to the good name
Of your order to set your faces against
anal ehists, nihilists and other dangerous
associations which are guilty of the base
ingratitude OF attempting to undermine
the government that protects them and
the temple OF the constitution that shell,
tiers them. Do not permit your reputation
to be tainted by any morbid sympathy
for men who have no substantial griey.
ance to redress, and who strive to make
connivanee, il not the sanction, oi
your powerful organization. God grant
that your deliberations m a be marked by
wisdom and discretion and a spirit OF true
patriotism, which while seeking to advance
your temporal interests, will merit the APP.
prevail OF heaven, as well as OF your fellow
citizens." There is no reason to lear tina.
the order, as an association, will iaisiiy
the good character given it by the Aneri
ean prince OF the church. Dur organization
is entirely free from the elements oil sectar.
ian, religious OF irreligious discussion, and
its fundamentals are OF a kind to guard II
against disturbing influences outside OF the
sphere to which it was created.
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A Fair Hon War Affar All